Head’s pledge to make Barnoldswick school ’best in region’

West Craven High Technology College, new headteacher, Craig Baker.

West Craven High Technology College’s new headteacher is aiming to make the education establishment one of the best in the region.

Craig Baker (45) believes there is no reason why the Kelbrook Road school cannot become the best in the area as the school has “fantastic” children.

Mr Baker, who has been teaching for 20 years, has moved to the Barnoldswick secondary school after a period as deputy headteacher at Allerton Grange in Leeds and takes over from Arnold Kuchartschuk who retired at Christmas having been in the role for 16 years.

All the foundations are there, according to Mr Baker, to continue on the school’s upward curve which saw it receive a good Ofsted report in 2013 as well as being named as one of the fastest improving schools in the country by a leading independent body.

Mr Baker said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be at West Craven, it’s a great place and it’s a pleasure to be here.

“I’ve worked in schools of all sizes right from 600 to about 1,800 pupils, schools of different ethnicities, sixth forms. I’ve been all over the place.

“At West Craven, we have got good staff but the reason we are such a great school is the children are fantastic.

“There’s a lovely feel around the school. But in any school, there are always things that can be improved. We want to be the best school in the area.

“The Ofsted report showed us to be good to outstanding. We want even more and we are in a strong position to be building on this.

“People don’t need to travel miles for a brilliant school, they have actually got one on their doorstep. This is a great school, right here, right now.”